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Operation Upshot–Knothole

January 01, 1970

See also: List of nuclear weapons tests of the United States

Operation Upshot–Knothole was a series of eleven nuclear test shots conducted in 1953 at the Nevada Test Site. It followed Operation Ivy and preceded Operation Castle.

Operation Upshot–Knothole
Upshot-Knothole Grable, 15 kilotons.
Information
CountryUnited States
Test site
  • NTS Areas 5, 11, Frenchman Flat
  • NTS, Areas 1-4, 6-10, Yucca Flat
Period1953
Number of tests11
Test typefree air drop, gun deployed, tower
Max. yield61 kilotonnes of TNT (260 TJ)
Test series chronology
Map all coordinates in "Operation Upshot–Knothole" using OpenStreetMap

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Over 21,000 soldiers took part in the ground exercise Desert Rock V in conjunction with the Grable shot.[1] Grable was a 280mm Artillery Fired Atomic Projectile (AFAP) shell fired from the "Atomic Cannon" and was viewed by a number of high-ranking military officials.

The test series was notable as containing the first time an AFAP shell was fired (GRABLE Shot), the first two shots (both fizzles) by University of California Radiation Laboratory—Livermore (now Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), and for testing out some of the thermonuclear components that would be used for the massive thermonuclear series of Operation Castle. One primary device (RACER) was tested in thermonuclear system mockup assemblies of TX-14, TX-16, and TX-17/TX-24, to examine and evaluate the behaviour of radiation cases and the compression of the secondary geometries by the primary's x-rays prior to full-scale testing during Castle.[2]: 192  Following RACER's dodgy performance, the COBRA primary was used in the emergency capability ALARM CLOCK, JUGHEAD, RUNT I, RUNT II thermonuclear devices, as well as in the SHRIMP device.[2]: 200  RACER IV (as redesigned and proof-tested in the Simon test) was employed as primary for the ZOMBIE,[2]: 200  RAMROD and MORGENSTERN[2]: 318  devices.

Nuclear tests edit

Annie edit

Planned yield for Annie was 15 kilotonnes of TNT (63 TJ), actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was 16.2 kilotonnes of TNT (68 TJ).[3]

Nancy edit

Planned yield for Nancy was 40 kilotonnes of TNT (170 TJ), actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was 24.5 kilotonnes of TNT (103 TJ).[4]

Simon edit

Planned yield for Simon was 33 kilotonnes of TNT (140 TJ), actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was 43.4 kilotonnes of TNT (182 TJ).[5]

Harry edit

Planned yield for Harry was 37 kilotonnes of TNT (150 TJ), actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was 27 kilotonnes of TNT (110 TJ).[6]

Encore edit

Planned yield for Encore was 31 kilotonnes of TNT (130 TJ), actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was 26 kilotonnes of TNT (110 TJ).[7]

List of tests edit

United States' Upshot-Knothole series tests and detonations
Name[note 1] Date time (UT) Local time zone[note 2][8] Location[note 3] Elevation + height[note 4] Delivery[note 5]
Purpose[note 6] 		Device[note 7] Yield[note 8] Fallout[note 9] References Notes
Annie March 17, 1953 13:20:00.3 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area 3

37°02′52″N 116°01′19″W / 37.0477°N 116.022°W / 37.0477; -116.022 (Annie)

1,230 m (4,040 ft)
+ 90 m (300 ft) 		tower,
weapons development 		TX-5HE "XR-3" Type D pit 16 kt I-131 detected, 2.4 MCi (89 PBq) [9][10][11][12][13] Investigated yield-vs-initiation time curve. Live news coverage. Desert Rock V. Two 2-story houses, 50 autos, bomb shelters in effects test.
Nancy March 24, 1953 13:10:00.0 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area 4

37°05′44″N 116°06′13″W / 37.0955°N 116.1037°W / 37.0955; -116.1037 (Nancy)

1,230 m (4,040 ft)
+ 90 m (300 ft) 		tower,
weapons development 		TX-14 "Nevada Zombie" 24 kt I-131 detected, 3.6 MCi (130 PBq) [9][10][11][12][13] Component test of TX-14[2]: 193, 195  containing minimal quantities of Li-6D.[2]: 170  Desert Rock V. First proof-test of the RACER boosted primary with disappointing performance.[Note 1]
Ruth March 31, 1953 13:00:00.0 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area 7

37°04′58″N 116°01′29″W / 37.0827°N 116.0248°W / 37.0827; -116.0248 (Ruth)

1,270 m (4,170 ft)
+ 90 m (300 ft) 		tower,
weapons development 		MK-6[14]: 198 

"Hydride I"

200 t I-131 detected, 28 kCi (1,000 TBq) [9][10][12][13] 1st UCRL device, a uranium deuteride core,[2]: 202  meant to explore deuterated polyethylene mixed with uranium as thermonuclear fuel,[15]: chap.15 [2]: 203  and if successful to lead also to a compact thermonuclear primary.[2]: 149  Predicted yield was 1.5 to 3 kilotons, max. theoretical was 20 kt.[14]: 96  Device fizzled - deuterium moderated (slowed-down) neutrons more than expected and quenched the reaction. Embarrassing for designers, as it left 200 ft (61 m) of tower still standing (see image of tower).
Dixie April 6, 1953 15:29:38.4 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area 7

37°05′05″N 116°01′08″W / 37.0847°N 116.0189°W / 37.0847; -116.0189 (Dixie)

1,284 m (4,213 ft)
+ 1,830 m (6,000 ft) 		free air drop,
weapons development 		MK-5D

"DD-1"[2]: 194 

11 kt I-131 detected, 1.7 MCi (63 PBq) [9][10][11][12][13] TX-5D proof test, a boosting experiment using lithium deuteride in solid or crystalline form, investigating initiation via deuterium; a cheap method to initiate a chain reaction.[2]: 185  Exploded 600 ft (180 m) ENE of intended zero point.
Ray April 11, 1953 12:44:59.8 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area 4

37°05′56″N 116°05′36″W / 37.09889°N 116.09332°W / 37.09889; -116.09332 (Ray)

1,296 m (4,252 ft)
+ 30 m (98 ft) 		tower,
weapons development 		MK-6[14]: 198 

"Hydride II"

220 t[16]: 101  I-131 detected, 28 kCi (1,000 TBq) [9][10][12][13] 2nd UCRL device, uranium deuteride[2]: 202  meant to explore deuterated polyethylene mixed with uranium as thermonuclear fuel,[15]: chap.15 [2]: 203  and if successful to lead also to a compact thermonuclear primary;[2]: 149  Used different mix from Ruth[2]: 202  and it also fizzled. A 100-foot tower was apparently used to avoid embarrassment in case of fizzle.
Badger April 18, 1953 12:35:00.0 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area 2

37°08′18″N 116°07′07″W / 37.1383°N 116.1187°W / 37.1383; -116.1187 (Badger)

1,370 m (4,490 ft)
+ 90 m (300 ft) 		tower,
weapons development 		TX-16 "Buzzard" 23 kt I-131 detected, 3.6 MCi (130 PBq) [9][10][11][12][13] Component test of the TX-16 using a cryogenic mockup secondary and the TX-16 radiation case. Also tested RACER primary, which performed below expectations again. Desert Rock V.
Simon April 25, 1953 12:29:59.8 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area 1

37°03′11″N 116°06′13″W / 37.053°N 116.1036°W / 37.053; -116.1036 (Simon)

1,294 m (4,245 ft)
+ 90 m (300 ft) 		tower,
weapons development 		TX-17/24 "Simultaneity" 43 kt I-131 detected, 6.3 MCi (230 PBq) [9][10][11][12][13] Component test of TX-17/24 series using the RACER IV primary, a modified RACER core containing two additional kilograms of HEU in the original design tested in Nancy, a thermonuclear secondary mockup.[10]
Encore May 8, 1953 15:29:55.4 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area 5

36°48′00″N 115°55′44″W / 36.8°N 115.929°W / 36.8; -115.929 (Encore)

940 m (3,080 ft)
+ 740 m (2,430 ft) 		free air drop,
weapon effect 		MK-6D 27 kt I-131 detected, 3.9 MCi (140 PBq) [9][10][11][12][13] "Effects" test. Dropped 950 ft (290 m) SSW of target. Desert Rock V, bad exposures for troops and bad downwinder fallout.
Harry May 19, 1953 12:04:59.5 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area 3

37°02′25″N 116°01′34″W / 37.0402°N 116.0261°W / 37.0402; -116.0261 (Harry)

1,224 m (4,016 ft)
+ 90 m (300 ft) 		tower,
weapons development 		TX-13D "Hamlet" 32 kt I-131 detected, 4.6 MCi (170 PBq) [9][10][11][12][13] New hollow core design, most efficient pure-plutonium device under 100 kt indicates very good compression. Major effects testing of a high elevation explosion. Heaviest downwind contamination measured.
Grable May 25, 1953 15:30:00.3 PST (-8 hrs)
 Launch from NTS Areas 5, 11, Frenchman Flat: 5

36°42′15″N 115°58′26″W / 36.70428°N 115.97387°W / 36.70428; -115.97387 (Launch_Grable), elv: 950 + 5 m (3,117 + 16 ft);
Detonation over NTS 36°47′35″N 115°54′56″W / 36.793°N 115.9156°W / 36.793; -115.9156 (Grable)

960 m (3,150 ft)
+ 160 m (520 ft) 		gun deployed,
weapon effect 		W9 AFAP "Gun" 15 kt I-131 detected, 2.1 MCi (78 PBq) [9][10][11][12][13] The 2nd of four gun-type device tests. Fired from the M65 Atomic Cannon "Atomic Annie" 11 km (6.8 mi) downrange. 280mm shell, 365 kg (805 lb). Detonation at 200 feet (61 m) SW of target. Desert Rock V. Major effects test.
Climax June 4, 1953 11:14:56.7 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area 7

37°05′15″N 116°01′09″W / 37.0875°N 116.0192°W / 37.0875; -116.0192 (Climax)

1,288 m (4,226 ft)
+ 410 m (1,350 ft) 		free air drop,
weapons development 		MK-7, "Cobra", Type D pit 61 kt I-131 detected, 8.6 MCi (320 PBq) [9][10][11][12][13] Proof test of a boosted MK-7 device, intended to be used as a primary in Castle. Initially it was intended only for the TX-15[2]: 195 . After RACER's inconsistent behaviour it was opted for all "emergency capability" devices instead.[2]: 197 . The bomb detonated 320 ft (98 m) NW of target. Composite implosion system in a Type D pit. Used Cyclotol 75/25 explosive mixture.
  1. ^ The US, France and Great Britain have code-named their test events, while the USSR and China did not, and therefore have only test numbers (with some exceptions – Soviet peaceful explosions were named). Word translations into English in parentheses unless the name is a proper noun. A dash followed by a number indicates a member of a salvo event. The US also sometimes named the individual explosions in such a salvo test, which results in "name1 – 1(with name2)". If test is canceled or aborted, then the row data like date and location discloses the intended plans, where known.
  2. ^ To convert the UT time into standard local, add the number of hours in parentheses to the UT time; for local daylight saving time, add one additional hour. If the result is earlier than 00:00, add 24 hours and subtract 1 from the day; if it is 24:00 or later, subtract 24 hours and add 1 to the day. Historical time zone data obtained from the IANA time zone database.
  3. ^ Rough place name and a latitude/longitude reference; for rocket-carried tests, the launch location is specified before the detonation location, if known. Some locations are extremely accurate; others (like airdrops and space blasts) may be quite inaccurate. "~" indicates a likely pro-forma rough location, shared with other tests in that same area.
  4. ^ Elevation is the ground level at the point directly below the explosion relative to sea level; height is the additional distance added or subtracted by tower, balloon, shaft, tunnel, air drop or other contrivance. For rocket bursts the ground level is "N/A". In some cases it is not clear if the height is absolute or relative to ground, for example, Plumbbob/John. No number or units indicates the value is unknown, while "0" means zero. Sorting on this column is by elevation and height added together.
  5. ^ Atmospheric, airdrop, balloon, gun, cruise missile, rocket, surface, tower, and barge are all disallowed by the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Sealed shaft and tunnel are underground, and remained useful under the PTBT. Intentional cratering tests are borderline; they occurred under the treaty, were sometimes protested, and generally overlooked if the test was declared to be a peaceful use.
  6. ^ Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and industrial/peaceful, which may be further broken down.
  7. ^ Designations for test items where known, "?" indicates some uncertainty about the preceding value, nicknames for particular devices in quotes. This category of information is often not officially disclosed.
  8. ^ Estimated energy yield in tons, kilotons, and megatons. A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184 gigajoules (1 gigacalorie).
  9. ^ Radioactive emission to the atmosphere aside from prompt neutrons, where known. The measured species is only iodine-131 if mentioned, otherwise it is all species. No entry means unknown, probably none if underground and "all" if not; otherwise notation for whether measured on the site only or off the site, where known, and the measured amount of radioactivity released.

Gallery edit

  •  
    Full uncut detonation of Upshot-Knothole Grable, launched out of the Atomic Annie device on 5/25/1953. The footage at normal speed is about 2+1⁄2 minutes.
  •  
    Close-up slow motion shot of Grable fire-ball, mach-stem and surface effects,
  •  
    Upshot-Knothole Encore, 27-kilotons.
  •  
    Upshot-Knothole Ruth, 0.2-kilotons.
  •  
    Upshot-Knothole Ruth, Note close proximity to highway in foreground as to the scale of detonation.
  •  
    The mangled tower for the Ruth test. The explosion failed to level the testing tower, only somewhat damaging it.

References edit

Notes
  1. ^ Apparently the device name is a misnomer, as it implies that the device tested was related to the TX-15 "ZOMBIE". However, this is not the case; no thermonuclear component testing of TX-15 appears to have been conducted during this operation, since Upshot-Knothole tested radiation implosion mockups, containing primaries and mocked-up secondaries with small amounts of enriched Li-6 for the TX-14, TX-16, and TX-17/24 thermonuclear prototype systems, all slated to be proof-fired during CASTLE.[2]: 193 
Citations
  1. ^ Operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE Fact Sheet February 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Hansen, Chuck (1995). Swords of Armageddon. Vol. III. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  3. ^ Rogin, Leo; DuPont, Alden C; Weeber, Christian G. Operation Upshot-Knothole. Project 5.1. Atomic Weapon Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight (Report). NAVAL AIR MATERIAL CENTER PHILADELPHIAPA. p. 25. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  4. ^ Operation Upshot-Knothole. Project 5.1. Atomic Weapon Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight, p. 28.
  5. ^ Operation Upshot-Knothole. Project 5.1. Atomic Weapon Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight, p. 32.
  6. ^ Operation Upshot-Knothole. Project 5.1. Atomic Weapon Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight, p. 36.
  7. ^ Operation Upshot-Knothole. Project 5.1. Atomic Weapon Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight, p. 41.
  8. ^ "Time Zone Historical Database". iana.com. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Estimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from Iodine-131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests, Chapter 2 (PDF), National Cancer Institute, 1997, retrieved January 5, 2014
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Sublette, Carey, Nuclear Weapons Archive, retrieved January 6, 2014
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hansen, Chuck (1995), The Swords of Armageddon, Vol. 8, Sunnyvale, CA: Chukelea Publications, ISBN 978-0-9791915-1-0
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k (PDF) (DOE/NV-209 REV15), Las Vegas, NV: Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office, December 1, 2000, archived from the original (PDF) on October 12, 2006, retrieved December 18, 2013
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Yang, Xiaoping; North, Robert; Romney, Carl (August 2000), CMR Nuclear Explosion Database (Revision 3), SMDC Monitoring Research
  14. ^ a b c Hansen, Chuck (1995). Swords of Armageddon. Vol. VII. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Herken, Gregg (2003). Brotherhood of the Bomb.
  16. ^ Operation Upshot-Knothole Summary Report of the Technical Director. 1953. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
Bibliography
  • Massie, J.; Maag, C.; Rohrer, S.; Shepanek, R. (January 15, 1982). Shots ENCORE to CLIMAX, the final four tests of the UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE Series, 8 May - 4 June 1953. Technical report (Report). JRB Associates, Inc., McLean, VA (USA).
  • Chuck Hansen, Swords of Armageddon, Version 2 (Chukelea Publications, 1995–2007)

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Operation Upshot-Knothole.
  • Operation Upshot-Knothole
  • The short film Nuclear Test Film - Operation Upshot-Knothole (1953) is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.
  • The short film Nuclear Test Film - Operation Upshot-Knothole, 5.2 (1953) is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.
  • The short film The 280 mm Gun at the Nevada Proving Ground (1953) is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.
  • Operation Upshot-Knothole - 1953
  • Film about Upshot Knothole Tests May 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  • Rice, James. Downwind of the Atomic State: Atmospheric Testing and the Rise of the Risk Society. (New York University Press, 2023): https://nyupress.org/9781479815340/downwind-of-the-atomic-state/

January 01, 1970
operation, upshot, knothole, also, list, nuclear, weapons, tests, united, states, series, eleven, nuclear, test, shots, conducted, 1953, nevada, test, site, followed, operation, preceded, operation, castle, upshot, knothole, grable, kilotons, informationcountr. See also List of nuclear weapons tests of the United States Operation Upshot Knothole was a series of eleven nuclear test shots conducted in 1953 at the Nevada Test Site It followed Operation Ivy and preceded Operation Castle Operation Upshot KnotholeUpshot Knothole Grable 15 kilotons InformationCountryUnited StatesTest siteNTS Areas 5 11 Frenchman Flat NTS Areas 1 4 6 10 Yucca FlatPeriod1953Number of tests11Test typefree air drop gun deployed towerMax yield61 kilotonnes of TNT 260 TJ Test series chronology Operation IvyOperation Castle Map all coordinates in Operation Upshot Knothole using OpenStreetMap Download coordinates as KML GPX all coordinates GPX primary coordinates GPX secondary coordinates Over 21 000 soldiers took part in the ground exercise Desert Rock V in conjunction with the Grable shot 1 Grable was a 280mm Artillery Fired Atomic Projectile AFAP shell fired from the Atomic Cannon and was viewed by a number of high ranking military officials The test series was notable as containing the first time an AFAP shell was fired GRABLE Shot the first two shots both fizzles by University of California Radiation Laboratory Livermore now Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and for testing out some of the thermonuclear components that would be used for the massive thermonuclear series of Operation Castle One primary device RACER was tested in thermonuclear system mockup assemblies of TX 14 TX 16 and TX 17 TX 24 to examine and evaluate the behaviour of radiation cases and the compression of the secondary geometries by the primary s x rays prior to full scale testing during Castle 2 192 Following RACER s dodgy performance the COBRA primary was used in the emergency capability ALARM CLOCK JUGHEAD RUNT I RUNT II thermonuclear devices as well as in the SHRIMP device 2 200 RACER IV as redesigned and proof tested in the Simon test was employed as primary for the ZOMBIE 2 200 RAMROD and MORGENSTERN 2 318 devices Contents 1 Nuclear tests 1 1 Annie 1 2 Nancy 1 3 Simon 1 4 Harry 1 5 Encore 2 List of tests 3 Gallery 4 References 5 External linksNuclear tests editAnnie edit Planned yield for Annie was 15 kilotonnes of TNT 63 TJ actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was 16 2 kilotonnes of TNT 68 TJ 3 Nancy edit Planned yield for Nancy was 40 kilotonnes of TNT 170 TJ actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was 24 5 kilotonnes of TNT 103 TJ 4 Simon edit Planned yield for Simon was 33 kilotonnes of TNT 140 TJ actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was 43 4 kilotonnes of TNT 182 TJ 5 Harry edit Planned yield for Harry was 37 kilotonnes of TNT 150 TJ actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was 27 kilotonnes of TNT 110 TJ 6 Encore edit Planned yield for Encore was 31 kilotonnes of TNT 130 TJ actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was 26 kilotonnes of TNT 110 TJ 7 List of tests editUnited States Upshot Knothole series tests and detonations Name note 1 Date time UT Local time zone note 2 8 Location note 3 Elevation height note 4 Delivery note 5 Purpose note 6 Device note 7 Yield note 8 Fallout note 9 References Notes Annie March 17 1953 13 20 00 3 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 3 37 02 52 N 116 01 19 W 37 0477 N 116 022 W 37 0477 116 022 Annie 1 230 m 4 040 ft 90 m 300 ft tower weapons development TX 5HE XR 3 Type D pit 16 kt I 131 detected 2 4 MCi 89 PBq 9 10 11 12 13 Investigated yield vs initiation time curve Live news coverage Desert Rock V Two 2 story houses 50 autos bomb shelters in effects test Nancy March 24 1953 13 10 00 0 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 4 37 05 44 N 116 06 13 W 37 0955 N 116 1037 W 37 0955 116 1037 Nancy 1 230 m 4 040 ft 90 m 300 ft tower weapons development TX 14 Nevada Zombie 24 kt I 131 detected 3 6 MCi 130 PBq 9 10 11 12 13 Component test of TX 14 2 193 195 containing minimal quantities of Li 6D 2 170 Desert Rock V First proof test of the RACER boosted primary with disappointing performance Note 1 Ruth March 31 1953 13 00 00 0 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 7 37 04 58 N 116 01 29 W 37 0827 N 116 0248 W 37 0827 116 0248 Ruth 1 270 m 4 170 ft 90 m 300 ft tower weapons development MK 6 14 198 Hydride I 200 t I 131 detected 28 kCi 1 000 TBq 9 10 12 13 1st UCRL device a uranium deuteride core 2 202 meant to explore deuterated polyethylene mixed with uranium as thermonuclear fuel 15 chap 15 2 203 and if successful to lead also to a compact thermonuclear primary 2 149 Predicted yield was 1 5 to 3 kilotons max theoretical was 20 kt 14 96 Device fizzled deuterium moderated slowed down neutrons more than expected and quenched the reaction Embarrassing for designers as it left 200 ft 61 m of tower still standing see image of tower Dixie April 6 1953 15 29 38 4 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 7 37 05 05 N 116 01 08 W 37 0847 N 116 0189 W 37 0847 116 0189 Dixie 1 284 m 4 213 ft 1 830 m 6 000 ft free air drop weapons development MK 5D DD 1 2 194 11 kt I 131 detected 1 7 MCi 63 PBq 9 10 11 12 13 TX 5D proof test a boosting experiment using lithium deuteride in solid or crystalline form investigating initiation via deuterium a cheap method to initiate a chain reaction 2 185 Exploded 600 ft 180 m ENE of intended zero point Ray April 11 1953 12 44 59 8 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 4 37 05 56 N 116 05 36 W 37 09889 N 116 09332 W 37 09889 116 09332 Ray 1 296 m 4 252 ft 30 m 98 ft tower weapons development MK 6 14 198 Hydride II 220 t 16 101 I 131 detected 28 kCi 1 000 TBq 9 10 12 13 2nd UCRL device uranium deuteride 2 202 meant to explore deuterated polyethylene mixed with uranium as thermonuclear fuel 15 chap 15 2 203 and if successful to lead also to a compact thermonuclear primary 2 149 Used different mix from Ruth 2 202 and it also fizzled A 100 foot tower was apparently used to avoid embarrassment in case of fizzle Badger April 18 1953 12 35 00 0 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 2 37 08 18 N 116 07 07 W 37 1383 N 116 1187 W 37 1383 116 1187 Badger 1 370 m 4 490 ft 90 m 300 ft tower weapons development TX 16 Buzzard 23 kt I 131 detected 3 6 MCi 130 PBq 9 10 11 12 13 Component test of the TX 16 using a cryogenic mockup secondary and the TX 16 radiation case Also tested RACER primary which performed below expectations again Desert Rock V Simon April 25 1953 12 29 59 8 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 1 37 03 11 N 116 06 13 W 37 053 N 116 1036 W 37 053 116 1036 Simon 1 294 m 4 245 ft 90 m 300 ft tower weapons development TX 17 24 Simultaneity 43 kt I 131 detected 6 3 MCi 230 PBq 9 10 11 12 13 Component test of TX 17 24 series using the RACER IV primary a modified RACER core containing two additional kilograms of HEU in the original design tested in Nancy a thermonuclear secondary mockup 10 Encore May 8 1953 15 29 55 4 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 5 36 48 00 N 115 55 44 W 36 8 N 115 929 W 36 8 115 929 Encore 940 m 3 080 ft 740 m 2 430 ft free air drop weapon effect MK 6D 27 kt I 131 detected 3 9 MCi 140 PBq 9 10 11 12 13 Effects test Dropped 950 ft 290 m SSW of target Desert Rock V bad exposures for troops and bad downwinder fallout Harry May 19 1953 12 04 59 5 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 3 37 02 25 N 116 01 34 W 37 0402 N 116 0261 W 37 0402 116 0261 Harry 1 224 m 4 016 ft 90 m 300 ft tower weapons development TX 13D Hamlet 32 kt I 131 detected 4 6 MCi 170 PBq 9 10 11 12 13 New hollow core design most efficient pure plutonium device under 100 kt indicates very good compression Major effects testing of a high elevation explosion Heaviest downwind contamination measured Grable May 25 1953 15 30 00 3 PST 8 hrs Launch from NTS Areas 5 11 Frenchman Flat 5 36 42 15 N 115 58 26 W 36 70428 N 115 97387 W 36 70428 115 97387 Launch Grable elv 950 5 m 3 117 16 ft Detonation over NTS 36 47 35 N 115 54 56 W 36 793 N 115 9156 W 36 793 115 9156 Grable 960 m 3 150 ft 160 m 520 ft gun deployed weapon effect W9 AFAP Gun 15 kt I 131 detected 2 1 MCi 78 PBq 9 10 11 12 13 The 2nd of four gun type device tests Fired from the M65 Atomic Cannon Atomic Annie 11 km 6 8 mi downrange 280mm shell 365 kg 805 lb Detonation at 200 feet 61 m SW of target Desert Rock V Major effects test Climax June 4 1953 11 14 56 7 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 7 37 05 15 N 116 01 09 W 37 0875 N 116 0192 W 37 0875 116 0192 Climax 1 288 m 4 226 ft 410 m 1 350 ft free air drop weapons development MK 7 Cobra Type D pit 61 kt I 131 detected 8 6 MCi 320 PBq 9 10 11 12 13 Proof test of a boosted MK 7 device intended to be used as a primary in Castle Initially it was intended only for the TX 15 2 195 After RACER s inconsistent behaviour it was opted for all emergency capability devices instead 2 197 The bomb detonated 320 ft 98 m NW of target Composite implosion system in a Type D pit Used Cyclotol 75 25 explosive mixture The US France and Great Britain have code named their test events while the USSR and China did not and therefore have only test numbers with some exceptions Soviet peaceful explosions were named Word translations into English in parentheses unless the name is a proper noun A dash followed by a number indicates a member of a salvo event The US also sometimes named the individual explosions in such a salvo test which results in name1 1 with name2 If test is canceled or aborted then the row data like date and location discloses the intended plans where known To convert the UT time into standard local add the number of hours in parentheses to the UT time for local daylight saving time add one additional hour If the result is earlier than 00 00 add 24 hours and subtract 1 from the day if it is 24 00 or later subtract 24 hours and add 1 to the day Historical time zone data obtained from the IANA time zone database Rough place name and a latitude longitude reference for rocket carried tests the launch location is specified before the detonation location if known Some locations are extremely accurate others like airdrops and space blasts may be quite inaccurate indicates a likely pro forma rough location shared with other tests in that same area Elevation is the ground level at the point directly below the explosion relative to sea level height is the additional distance added or subtracted by tower balloon shaft tunnel air drop or other contrivance For rocket bursts the ground level is N A In some cases it is not clear if the height is absolute or relative to ground for example Plumbbob John No number or units indicates the value is unknown while 0 means zero Sorting on this column is by elevation and height added together Atmospheric airdrop balloon gun cruise missile rocket surface tower and barge are all disallowed by the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Sealed shaft and tunnel are underground and remained useful under the PTBT Intentional cratering tests are borderline they occurred under the treaty were sometimes protested and generally overlooked if the test was declared to be a peaceful use Include weapons development weapon effects safety test transport safety test war science joint verification and industrial peaceful which may be further broken down Designations for test items where known indicates some uncertainty about the preceding value nicknames for particular devices in quotes This category of information is often not officially disclosed Estimated energy yield in tons kilotons and megatons A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4 184 gigajoules 1 gigacalorie Radioactive emission to the atmosphere aside from prompt neutrons where known The measured species is only iodine 131 if mentioned otherwise it is all species No entry means unknown probably none if underground and all if not otherwise notation for whether measured on the site only or off the site where known and the measured amount of radioactivity released Gallery edit nbsp Full uncut detonation of Upshot Knothole Grable launched out of the Atomic Annie device on 5 25 1953 The footage at normal speed is about 2 1 2 minutes nbsp Close up slow motion shot of Grable fire ball mach stem and surface effects nbsp Upshot Knothole Encore 27 kilotons nbsp Upshot Knothole Ruth 0 2 kilotons nbsp Upshot Knothole Ruth Note close proximity to highway in foreground as to the scale of detonation nbsp The mangled tower for the Ruth test The explosion failed to level the testing tower only somewhat damaging it References editNotes Apparently the device name is a misnomer as it implies that the device tested was related to the TX 15 ZOMBIE However this is not the case no thermonuclear component testing of TX 15 appears to have been conducted during this operation since Upshot Knothole tested radiation implosion mockups containing primaries and mocked up secondaries with small amounts of enriched Li 6 for the TX 14 TX 16 and TX 17 24 thermonuclear prototype systems all slated to be proof fired during CASTLE 2 193 Citations Operation UPSHOT KNOTHOLE Fact Sheet Archived February 18 2013 at the Wayback Machine Defense Threat Reduction Agency a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Hansen Chuck 1995 Swords of Armageddon Vol III Retrieved December 28 2016 Rogin Leo DuPont Alden C Weeber Christian G Operation Upshot Knothole Project 5 1 Atomic Weapon Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight Report NAVAL AIR MATERIAL CENTER PHILADELPHIAPA p 25 Retrieved September 30 2023 Operation Upshot Knothole Project 5 1 Atomic Weapon Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight p 28 Operation Upshot Knothole Project 5 1 Atomic Weapon Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight p 32 Operation Upshot Knothole Project 5 1 Atomic Weapon Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight p 36 Operation Upshot Knothole Project 5 1 Atomic Weapon Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight p 41 Time Zone Historical Database iana com Retrieved March 8 2014 a b c d e f g h i j k Estimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from Iodine 131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests Chapter 2 PDF National Cancer Institute 1997 retrieved January 5 2014 a b c d e f g h i j k l Sublette Carey Nuclear Weapons Archive retrieved January 6 2014 a b c d e f g h i Hansen Chuck 1995 The Swords of Armageddon Vol 8 Sunnyvale CA Chukelea Publications ISBN 978 0 9791915 1 0 a b c d e f g h i j k United States Nuclear Tests July 1945 through September 1992 PDF DOE NV 209 REV15 Las Vegas NV Department of Energy Nevada Operations Office December 1 2000 archived from the original PDF on October 12 2006 retrieved December 18 2013 a b c d e f g h i j k Yang Xiaoping North Robert Romney Carl August 2000 CMR Nuclear Explosion Database Revision 3 SMDC Monitoring Research a b c Hansen Chuck 1995 Swords of Armageddon Vol VII Retrieved December 28 2016 a b Herken Gregg 2003 Brotherhood of the Bomb Operation Upshot Knothole Summary Report of the Technical Director 1953 Retrieved February 17 2019 Bibliography Massie J Maag C Rohrer S Shepanek R January 15 1982 Shots ENCORE to CLIMAX the final four tests of the UPSHOT KNOTHOLE Series 8 May 4 June 1953 Technical report Report JRB Associates Inc McLean VA USA Chuck Hansen Swords of Armageddon Version 2 Chukelea Publications 1995 2007 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Operation Upshot Knothole Operation Upshot Knothole The short film Nuclear Test Film Operation Upshot Knothole 1953 is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive The short film Nuclear Test Film Operation Upshot Knothole 5 2 1953 is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive The short film The 280 mm Gun at the Nevada Proving Ground 1953 is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive Operation Upshot Knothole 1953 Film about Upshot Knothole Tests Archived May 19 2011 at the Wayback Machine Rice James Downwind of the Atomic State Atmospheric Testing and the Rise of the Risk Society New York University Press 2023 https nyupress org 9781479815340 downwind of the atomic state Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Operation Upshot Knothole amp oldid 1220951576, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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